Rift deepens between Flemish and Walloon athletics federations over Nafi Thiam controversy

Belgium’s Athletics Divisions Deepen as Unity Fractures

The fallout between Belgium’s athletics federations intensified following a response from Athletics Flanders on Friday, with the Flemish federation acknowledging that unity within Belgian Athletics had “broken down” during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, reports 24brussels.

Representatives from both federations are expected to present a unified front at international tournaments; however, Athletics Flanders asserts that this principle was not upheld. The federation emphasized that despite the internal conflict, the support for Flemish athletes remains intact and continues through established league structures.

Athletics Flanders welcomed French Community Sports Minister Jacqueline Galant’s initiative to mediate in the dispute involving athlete Nafi Thiam and expressed intentions to temporarily refrain from commenting on national matters until trust with the French-speaking athletics federation (LBFA) is restored.

The tensions escalated over issues related to portrait rights, culminating in Nafi Thiam, a three-time Olympic champion and two-time world heptathlon champion, withdrawing from competition in Tokyo. LBFA President Jessica Mayon later attributed blame to Athletics Flanders officials for allegedly disregarding Thiam’s participation.

“I am ashamed to be a Belgian,” said Thiam’s coach Michael Van der Plaetsen at the time. “There is just no explanation. This simply isn’t acceptable.” Notably, Het Laatste Nieuws reported on Friday that Thiam and Van der Plaetsen are in a relationship.

Other athletes also affected

Further criticism arose from 400m hurdler Paulien Couckuyt, who attributed her semi-final exit in Tokyo to decisions made by Athletics Flanders. Couckuyt indicated that a back injury was exacerbated by the federation’s late decision to prevent her coach, Koen Bellemans, from attending the event.

“It is not nice that we don’t have coaches here, while the French-speaking federation allowed them to come with us to the World Cup,” she told Sporza last week. “Last year, we already tried to raise some issues, but we are not listened to.”

Following Athletics Flanders’ recent statement, Het Nieuwsblad reports that a previously scheduled meeting between the regional federations has been cancelled, further complicating efforts to resolve the ongoing issues surrounding Thiam.